Art House - Brooklyn, N.Y.

I painted these little gems for Art House in Brooklyn, N.Y. and these little mixed media pieces were done using genuine copper leafing, vintage papers, graphite and acrylic. They measure 4 x 4" and can be hung individual or as a group. They are part of a small paintings project. I can paint these little gems all day long. I have fun with a small format and I can mail them easily. So guess what? I need to donate a few to my favorite causes. Next on the list is Doctors Without Borders. I have given in the past and feel that it's time again. It is such an amazing organization that it really strikes a cord. They help people whose lives have been threatened by violence, neglect and catastrophe. Give if you can to any organization, even if it's your time. It dosn't have to be money or gifts etc.... Your time is very valuable!

Drop Cloth Girls Workshop in Chicago!

This piece was done in a Sue Pelletier workshop in Chicago. I loved this class, even if I was as slow as a turtle. There were ladies painting and collaging 5 to my 1, uh what's wrong with me? Sometimes I think I work too slow. In a workshop setting, I think it's hard to get the exact look your going for since your limited with your supplies, because you can't bring your whole studio to the class. This drop cloth girl is rather simple and cute. We started with a drop cloth and cut it to size over a board. We glued it down with gel medium and then started collaging and gluing fabrics, pieces of gauze and vintage papers. We then started our gestural drawings right on the board. We tweeked it a bit and then added the icing (bling things). Voila!!!

Mixed Media Clutch with Beads

So I meet with an amazing group of women a couple of times a month. We have formed a wonderful friendship and creative spirit. It is a proven fact that women who have friends and do creative fun things live longer healthier lives. In my case, I hope this is true. My grandmother lived to be 102...wow! anyhoot; this clutch was made of canvas that was pre- painted. (spraypainted by us) We made our pattern and lined the clutch and then followed up with embellishments. I found a brooch in my studio that was made of gauze and ribbon so I attached to the bag and put the finishing touch of coral beads on top and voilla!!! Love it.

Frederik Meijer Gardens

No the butterflies are not flying at the gardens, but Kevin and Ali are! They are officially engaged and we are throwing them an engagement party at the gardens. Flowers, family and fun will be in abundance along with the Sweet J band. They are an award winning bluesy rock and soulfull band with a really cool sound. My daughter found them and the barn at the gardens, wow all that and med school, your too busy honey! Let's take off our shoes that night and kick it with some good ole fashioned fun. Oh...this painting was for the Cook Art Center of Grand Rapids, Mi. I painted two of them, just love em! They are mixed media and measure 8 x 8".

Holiday Shopping at Studio Chickelalas - gifts, art & more

Great stocking stuffers designed by Sheryl

Message boards with knobs designed by the chickies

that's mine - mini message wine glasses by the chickies

beautiful fine art by teenie

We have great gifts this year at the Holiday Show. Our stationary starts at 6. and we have other great stocking stuffers starting at 5. You can also own an original oil painting for as low as $75. Shoot us an email and let us know what you'd like and we will send it to you asap.

Painting of Tall Pines from a Distance

This is my lastest large scale painting of tall pines, it's mixed media including paper, oil and genuine copper leafing on a wood panel. The size is 40 x 48" and it is currently for sale. The title of this pretty piece is On The Hill. As a chickelala I try to constantly stay busy, my mind is forever busy. I think, live and breathe art. What an exhistance huh? I love it and love my journey. I am so busy because the chickelalas are having an art show in December, just in time for christmas. As we near December I will post some of the wonderful pieces we have been creating. I did get a chance to go downtown Grand Rapids, Mi. this weekend to get a first hand look at Art Prize. So much wonderful art to see in a smaller city. I will post pics tomorrow. For now, enjoy the painting and if your interested leave me a comment and I will get back with you or check out more pieces on my site at:  http://www.tinarothwell.com

This is my muse for the moment, I love flowers and color. I will call this flower a her and she is the goddess of power to enlighten me or inspire me. Love the texture and random text, it creates such interest. This wonderful little muse can be made of so many different materials, the possibilities are endless. The mixed media I work with, lends itself so easily for incorporating such beauty. Thank you Mr. Lichtenstein for the inspiration today!

landscape study turned official

These pieces are going to Phoenix and I think they are about 80% complete. I am shipping about 6 paintings there and I will most definitely insure them. I have many many layers on these two panels. They were painted once and I decided they weren't done. I think they need some more detail on the horizon line and in the foreground. I love the simplicity of these landscapes they have a very light and airy feel with a bit of a jolt. Love the juxtaposition! I am hoping to do alittle bit of a switch and work more traditional this fall. We'll see what happens.

As an artist I really can't make commitments, I love any and everything from nature.

painting clouds

Well today was a day painting clouds, I think they are looking pretty good. It's kind of fun painting clouds because I move my hand and brush very quickly. I like to blend so it feels very familiar to me. I am new to painting clouds but really enjoy them. These clouds need a little more work, highlighting I believe. I will hit them with some warm white. I continue to work with sterling silver leafing, oops this one is copper leafing. Like I said yesterday, I will start to manipulate the leafing purely out of boredom. I have to see the transition or evolution into a different subject or composition. This piece is in the beginning stages, and I so hope to make this evolve. When we look at landscapes we as viewers and artists deal with very predictable ideas, my goal should be to imagine the space differently. I want the viewer to look at the air and imagine the air and not have boundaries. But, I have laid in the horizon. I need to add other elements to achieve my goal, maybe mist or sun. I need to take a break, maybe I will go shopping. I am travelling to key west soon and I need a couple more summer pieces. I love shopping as much as I love painting. I know nothing about Key West, other than it is south of Miami. I am thinking very casual, fun, warm,carefree, okay so that is the way I am packing. I will not forget the camera, love those Kodak moments and my Canon 30D. I never thought I would adapt to digital, since I am a product of the dark room. Love the manipulation one can do on the computer. Too many interests and not enough time!

Creative process

"A father carries pictures where his money used to be." - by anonymous

Now all I need is a fishing pole in hand and then we'll get down to the idea of living life simple! I love the idea of simplifying. I do try to edit in my home and life including my paintings. The latest paintings have been very successful and I am so happy about that. These paintings will soon be evolving because I get to a certain point with the paintings and then I am ready to make them change. I will start experimenting with these landscapes and see where they take me. Time to put my thinking cap on and get creative. Perhaps I will add doodles, letters, words,repetition or juxtaposition.

Memorial Day a time to stop and commemorate!

I am essentially a painter of the kind of still life composition that communicates a sense of tranquillity and privacy, moods which I have always valued above all else.- Giorgio Morandi 

This quote felt very fitting for the special holiday this weekend. I do hope that while celebrating with family and friends, people stop for a moment to commemorate. Still working on the series for my gallery in northern michigan, this painting conveys that place in which we want. It does give that sense that Giorgio searches. When is the painting finished? I try not to overwork it, I could ruin it. That is the big question always facing the artist.

The Rose Painting

I finally finished my small rose painting. I did not deviate too much from the sketch on the paper, I stayed within the perimeter. I really am enjoying the mixed media these days, I approach it very loosely which I do so enjoy. I have the leafing technique down to a science, so now I can have fun and play.

working in the studio

Now that the weather is getting warmer I continue to stay focused. I think I paint mostly when the sun is big and bright. I am making hay while the sun shines! I did come across a couple of sites that I really liked.... so I thought I would share them. http://www.dhlovelife.com and www.blueocean.org I have much respect for Daryl Hannah and her continuous activism and effort toward saving the earth and oceans. She is really interesting and a wonderful role model in terms of helping make a difference in the plot for the future of the Green movement. I would love to have a low impact on my lifestyle, I will continue to strive! In the meantime what I can focus on is my surroundings a.k.a. studio, and re-purpose those old frames. I do try to reuse and rework the things that are just laying around...hence give them new life!
Here is a piece I am working for my gallery up north...it is a mixed media piece with gold leafing.

continuing landscapes

My camera is really off, thank goodness for my website photos I use my 30d. Nonetheless, the composition is correct. The colors are hyperintense...is that a word? I still continue to work in mixed media with sterling silver underlay, fun to work with. I will build up the layers to anchor the piece and camoflauge the heavy leafing separations. I have to use a paint that is not too transparent. I need to run now and take some shots of a real pretty meadow with plenty of sun beaming.

Doesn't look the same does it? Well the pic isn't all that good and I am alittle too lazy to reshoot it. I am however building up the layers and you can barely see the underpainting. I need to have this ready in a couple of days, so I will use acrylic and build from there. It's going to be really cute when I am done. These wonderful whimsical collages are great fun and they make great gifts for any occasion.

Not letting the economy get to me!

Times are really hard right now and we could all get upset and depressed about the economy, but I refuse to let it get to me. I think it makes alot of us work even harder for what we have or need. They (Today Show) money experts say that in hard times we become very creative and innovative. I did see on the Today Show that a college sophomore created something like vitamin water or a drink of some sort and called it GIVE...giving a certain percentage of each drink sold to many different charities/organizations. That my friends is really cool!!!! Even during difficult times we can still give whether it's on a monetary basis or giving a helping hand. I will try alot harder to GIVE in any way possible, but for this moment I am going to the studio to be creative :) Here is the other piece to the diptych.